Tips For Hosting A Memorable Friendsgiving

Friendsgiving has quickly become one of our favorite “holidays.” It’s all the good food and cozy vibes of Thanksgiving, but with your chosen family and none of the pressure to make it picture-perfect. A few simple touches can make the night extra special (and keep you from stressing in the kitchen).

Here’s how to pull off the coziest Friendsgiving!

1. Make the Kitchen the Gathering Spot

People always end up in the kitchen, so you might as well plan for it! Set out a little grazing station before the meal to get everyone nibbling and mingling. Crackers, dips, cheese, cured meats… it doesn’t have to be fancy.

Gathering Tip: Try setting out a big bowl of pistachios or shelled peanuts. Guests can snack, peel, and chat all at once. It’s an easy way to keep the conversation (and the snacking) going!

2. Put the Playlist on Autopilot

Music makes such a difference. Create a playlist that runs the whole night so you’re not scrambling to change songs mid-conversation. Think acoustic favorites, soul classics, and a few sing-alongs for good measure. And yes, you can sneak in that one song your group can’t resist belting out.

Here is a great dinner party playlist we found!

3. Go Full Potluck Mode

Friendsgiving is a group effort, so let people bring a dish. Share a sign-up list so you don’t end up with five pans of mac and cheese (although… would that be a bad thing?). And if the idea of washing 30 plates stresses you out, paper plates are fair game.

4. Plan for After-Dinner Fun

Once the plates are cleared, give people a reason to stick around a little longer. Keep it low-pressure; a card game, a few rounds of charades, or a holiday-themed trivia quiz are always a hit. If your group is more laid-back, just put on a classic movie in the background and let everyone lounge with dessert and coffee.

5. Send Folks Home with Snacks

Friendsgiving leftovers are the best part of the night. Pack up small treat bags or containers with whatever’s left from the night. Your guests will love you for it, and your fridge won’t be bursting at the seams the next morning.

It's All About Who's at the Table

It’s not about a perfect table setting or a five-star menu, it’s about gathering the people you love and creating a space where everyone feels at home. Keep it simple, keep it fun, and the rest will take care of itself.

From all of us at The Leaf, Happy Friendsgiving!

We're branching out with a new dinner experience. The Leaf, located in downtown Wooster, is expanding its dinner offerings and ensuring a richer dining experience for guests. Open Tuesday through Sunday, our culinary team creates elevated dishes that evolve with the season. Bring a friend or dine solo for a relaxing meal away from home.

Make your reservations online or by calling 330-804-0126.